Locally known as the "Wedding Cake Castle," it was built from 1929 to 1931 in a vernacular Italianate Architectural Style by Alessio Carraro, and was originally intended as the hotel centerpiece of a planned destination resort.

The Society offers guided tours of the grounds, first floor, and basement along with special events as the Operator and Manager of the site.

After finalizing the purchase of the 44 acres surrounding the castle, the city of Phoenix began an effort to restore the building and revitalize the gardens.

Tovrea Carraro Society, a local non profit organization formed to operate and manage the site, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, has been conducting guided tours of the grounds, first floor, and basement as well as holding special events since March 2012.

An early sketch of a design for Carraro's intended hotel was made for him by a local architect that was immediately rejected, and bears little resemblance to the structure actually built.

"[4] The castle has historically eclectic and romanticized European architectural influences including parapets surrounding the roofline of each tier, while also reflecting Art Deco detailing within its interior and exterior light fixtures.